The CB — Issue 5, September 30, 2020
Source: FiveThirtyEight from Center for Election Innovation and Research
Message from Charles
On Tuesday, I went to donate blood. Donating blood is one little thing I know I can do every couple of months that helps someone.
If you’ll forgive the pun, it’s me as one cell among many, trying to do my part to keep our social being healthy. (Side note: there’s a current blood donation need in general because of COVID-19, but especially from Black and Latinx donors for sickle cell patients).
It can feel, sometimes, that little things are irrelevant. And after the train wreck of a presidential debate on Tuesday night, we all might all feel a little caught up in the wave of forces beyond our control. But our society is defined by all of us taking little actions to help each other. Even when things are difficult. That’s community. Those are values. That’s change.
And that’s what I want to focus on. On the actions that you and I can take to protect this election, right now. So that we can look back in 10 years and say we did something.
If want to join my fundraising campaign for Biden you still can.
Forward together.
/C
1/ Organization of the Week
Each week I pick an organization for readers to support. This way you know you’re part of a movement and that your donation has a real impact.
Center for Election Innovation and Research
I’ve known this organization since its launch. I’ve worked with David Becker and watched him build an organization that has committed to election integrity and data driven support.
If you’re looking for a non-profit, non-partisan, organization focused on securing elections and advancing democracy. If you want to support an organization that does the grunt work with election officials, here’s one on a platter.
You can support CEIR here.
2/ This Week’s Campaign
Each week I provide one campaign or PAC for subscribers to donate at least $25.00. That’s just $150.00 total over the next seven weeks.
Ann Ravel for State Senator
I’m bringing back Ann because I believe in her. Ann has been a champion for Campaign Finance reform for decades. She was appointed by President Obama —remember those days? seems like a lifetime ago —and served on the Federal Elections Commission.
If we want good leaders, we need to elect them. And they need champions to amplify their names.
So I’m shouting Ann’s name. If you want to donate a small amount. If you want to be sure it’s to a good person and good leader. Support Ann.
We need people like Ann in office. Honest ones that can make difficult decisions, while being open and honest with us.
I’ve donated and am raising money for Ann.
You can join my fundraising effort here.
3/ Volunteer Opportunities
Campaigns and organizations need your help. It might be phone/text banking or volunteering your special skills. Opportunities will vary each week, be sure to check in.
Women’s March Action
What if I told you that you can text 1,000 people, yes 1,000 people, in a couple of hours. And that your texts will share good information about how to register to vote, when and where to vote, how to vote (mechanics of voting locally), etc.
It’s a great way to get involved without having to leave your home.
If you have more questions, send me an email. I can connect you to an introverted friend that sent over a 1,000 text messages to women in places like North Carolina and loved every minute of it.
An hour or two once a week can go a long way to securing and advancing democracy.
Click. Text. Help women that might have been purged from voter files.
4/ Commit 10 seconds this week
Don’t count on Facebook to save democracy. But you can fight to save democracy by sharing good information on your preferred social with your friends, family, and community.
Fake News Survival Guide: Resources and Tips for Staying Informed
We use the terms fake news, disinformation, deep fakes, etc. But a lot of people don’t really know what these terms mean. And it can be overwhelming to find the answers.
Seattle Public Library published a syllabus for a class. The syllabus puts all the information in a digestible form.
Share the knowledge with a Tweet or Facebook post.
Are you unsure about what terms like Disinformation versus Misinformation, Deep Fakes, and Internet memes mean? You are not alone. The Seattle Public Library published a reference guide that breaks down the terms into easy to understand concepts. Be informed. Be empowered.
5/ Share the CB
Share this newsletter
Thank you to everyone that shared The CB and to those that sent feedback! As I mentioned, I've been told I need to share The CB more. So I’m asking for your help.
I’m asking 10 more of you to share it on their Facebook account. I’ve even created text you can copy and paste below.
I’m asking 10 more of your to forward this email to people they believe care and would like to learn more about what they can do to have an impact. That’s it, just forward it.
Thank you so much for your support.
You’re busy. But you want to do something with impact this November. This is the newsletter you’ve been looking for. Subscribe to The CB by Charles Belle. The CB is a short, to the point, newsletter focused on this election, with specific calls to action for anyone to do quickly. https://thecb.substack.com/
Send Charles a question
Questions, suggestions, comments? Send me an email or find me on Twitter @CharlesBelle
ABOUT The CB
After running for Supervisor in San Francisco, people keep asking me — What can I do? I created The CB because I know people care about our communities, our cities, our country, and our future. We need real change. And you don’t want to sit on the sidelines, you want to be part of the change for a better world. The CB newsletter answers the question “What Can I Do?” with easy to digest, curated actions, to help each of us change our world for the better.